What muscle should you push on during abdominal thrusts?

During abdominal thrusts, the correct action involves applying force to the diaphragm region, which is just above the abdomen. The purpose of abdominal thrusts, commonly known as the Heimlich maneuver, is to forcefully expel an object obstructing a person's airway. When you push upward with your hands just above the navel and on the abdomen, this action generates increased pressure within the abdominal cavity, which in turn pushes the diaphragm upward. This rapid and aggressive movement helps to expel air from the lungs and can dislodge the obstruction in the airway.

Targeting the diaphragm area is critical because it is the muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and plays a principal role in respiration. During the thrusts, the upward movement not only compresses the abdomen but also utilizes the momentum of the diaphragm to generate an effective force that can help clear the airway.